What Is Rugby ?

Rugby is played by men and women and boys and girls world wide. Rugby is an international fraternal sport that is based on hard but fair competition played by millions of people aged from 6-60+. The wide variation of skills and phyical requirements needed for the game creates an opportunity for individuals of every shape, size and ability to participate at all levels.

Rugby is a free-flowing game that features a combination of strenght, speed and strategy to move the ball into an opponents territory. Rugby is a contact sport yet players wear little or no protective gear.

The game is played on a soccer like field with numerous markings, like the end zone, 5 meter line, the 22 and the 10 meter marks. Rugby games are two 40 minute halves with a 10 minute half-time and no time-outs.

Rugby is played with fifteen players on each team with seven substitutions. All fifteen players on the field regardless of position must be able to run, kick or pass the ball and catch the ball. Likewise, all players must be able to tackle and defend, making each position both offensive and defensive in nature .

Passing with the hand cannot be forward but can be lateral or backwards. Players without the ball cannot be tackled or interfered with any way. Tackles must be made below the opponent’s shoulders and the the tackler’s arms must wrap around the tacklee.

The fifteen players are divided into two groups. Eight forwards, larger and stronger players, who focus on obtaining possesion of the ball. Seven backs, smaller and faster players, who focus on tacking the ball forward and scoring.

The goal of Rugby is to move the ball forward by running with the ball or kicking. The team which scores the most points wins the game. There are four ways in which a team may score in Rugby:

A try; 5 points when the ball is touched to the ground in the opponents end zone.

Conversion; 2 points for a kick through the upright of the “H” shape goal post after a try is scored.

Drop goal; 3 points for drop kicking the ball through the opponent’s upright at anytime during play.

Penalty kick; 3 points for place-kicking the ball through the opponent’s upright following by infraction by the opposition.

Play must be restarted following any score or when the ball leaves the field, the ball is unplayable or when play stops due to infraction or injury. Following any score, play is restarted with a kick-off from mid field to the team who scored. If an infraction occurs or the ball becomes unplayable and remains on the field, play is restarted with a scrum. When the ball leaves the field, play is restarted by returning the ball to the field using a lineout.

A scrum is formed by eight forwards who are bound in a 3-4-1 formation. Both teams scrum lock together and the ball is delivered between the two units who push against each other attempting to hell the ball back with their feet to their teammates.

A lineout is formed by two rows of opposing forwards who line up perpendicular to the sidelines and the ball is thrown in between them from the sideline. Designated players from each side jump for the ball to determine possesion.